At Rhodes, we are proud of the academic standards we have set for ourselves. From ISAP scores to academic competitions, we have always placed the priority in the classroom.
For more information, please see our coordinators page or our school info page.
Please select from the following for a more detailed description.
PreSchool
The preschool program is funded by the State of Illinois. This grant makes the preschool program tuition free. Classes are held Monday through Friday for 2 ½ hours. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available. Art music, technology and physical education are part of the program. Parents are encouraged to participate in the program. Each year Rhodes School conducts a district wide preschool screening. This helps identify future students.
Plus, our preschool has access to the Internet, along with having printer. Teachers can be contacted via email. Please visit our Staff Connection to contact your child's teacher.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten begins all students academic life. Whether they were in preschool or not, students begin the daily (5 days a week) joy of school. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available and enter and leave the school using their private entrance (shown below). As with preschool, kindergarten provides the children with school experiences, while allowing time for adjustment all five year old goes through.
Some of the concepts being taught include: sharing, motor skill development, abc's, reading, writing, basic number and number theory, etc. In addition, students also have courses in art, music, technology, and physical education. All students entering kindergarten must be five years old by September 1st of that year.
At the end of the year, all kindergarten students "graduate." We have an actual ceremony in June with caps, gowns, processional, speakers, ect. The program is video taped for parents and other relatives and friends.
Plus, every classroom have access to the Internet, along with having a Laser Printer either in the classroom or next door. In fact, all classrooms in the kindergarten grades have two computers. Teachers can be contacted via email. Please visit our Staff Connection to contact your child's teacher.
1st-3rd Grades
First grade up to third grade is called our primary section. Not all the classrooms are located in the same section on the building, however they all have similar schedules. While all of these grade are in school for the entire day, it is firsts grades initiation into this schedule so some adjustments are provided.
Students are provided instruction in: reading, writing,
social studies, science, math, physical education, language arts, and spelling.
Additionally, students are also provided with elective courses of art, music,
and technology.
In addition, students can be pulled from classes for extra help if needed. We have both a Title I reading specialist and a speech therapist, along with a LD/resource teacher on staff for those who require their services. Enrichment is also available for those students who meet the criteria.
Plus, every classroom have access to the Internet, along with having a Laser Printer either in the classroom or next door. In fact, all classrooms in the Primary grades have at least one computers, along with our three computer labs. Teachers can be contacted via email. Please visit our Staff Connection to contact your child's teacher.
4th - 5th Grades
These grades are somewhat unique in that they share many
of the characteristics of both the primary section as well as the middle
school section. While 4th grade starts the day with the primary section,
they finish with the 5-8 grade students. 5th grade follows the middle school
time schedule.
Students are provided instruction in: reading, writing, social studies, science, math, physical education, language arts, and spelling. Additionally, students are also provided with elective courses of art, music, and technology.
In addition, students can be pulled from classes for extra help if needed. We have both a Title I reading specialist and a speech therapist, along with a LD/resource teacher on staff for those who require their services. Enrichment is also available for those students who meet the criteria.
Plus, every classroom have access to the Internet, along with having a Laser Printer either in the classroom or next door. In fact, all classrooms in the 4th/5th grades have at least one computers, along with our three computer labs. Teachers can be contacted via email. Please visit. Teachers can be contacted via email. Please visit our Staff Connection to contact your child's teacher.
Middle School (6th-8th Grade)
Our 6th through 8th grade employ a middle school philosophy. Each grade level has a "team" comprised of core teachers. Regular "team" meetings are an important part to this process. Communicating with each other allows for better lesson planning as well as providing a place for students to come to when a problem arises.
Students are provided instruction in: reading, writing, social studies, science, math, physical education, language arts, and spelling. Additionally, students are also provided with elective courses of art, music, home economics/industrial arts, health, and technology.
In addition, students can be pulled from classes for extra help if needed. We have both a Title I reading specialist and a Speech Therapist, along with a LD/resource teacher on staff for those who require their services. Enrichment is also available for those students who meet the criteria.
Students in the middle school may also be placed into our advanced placement courses. These include: Pre-Algebra (7th grade), Algebra (8th grade), and Biology (8th grade). To be placed into these courses, students must have a teacher recommendation along with a 85% or above score on the CAT test. Both Algebra and Biology are weighted classes for GPA purposes.
Three special areas in our middle school include our Accelerated Math station (left), our Science lab with live animals (center), and The Liberty Bill (right). All are important parts of our curriculum, as well as student favorites.
Another key part to our middle school, is our theme units. Units are created to in cooperate all academic displines. An example is one would be our "Excellent Adventure Through the Thirteen Colonies." Additionally, grade levels have level fund-raisers as well as a grade level theme that change from year to year.
Plus, every classroom have access to the Internet, along with having a Laser Printer either in the classroom or next door. Teachers can be contacted via email. Please visit our Staff Connection to contact your child's teacher.
Rhodes School has provided a program for its gifted students for the last 10 years. The Enrichment Program identifies and services students in Preschool through Grade Eight. Criteria used include an IQ score of 120 or above, achievement test scores which are two years above grade level and/or teacher recommendation.
Students are in a pull-out program which meets two times a week for 1st through 5th graders. Each grade level focuses on a specific content area while developing vocabulary, advanced research skills and product-based assessments.
Middle school students meet once a week and are entered in a different competition each quarter. Therefore, the first quarter of the year students with high math scores are invited to enter the Stock Market Game which is played on a national level. We are very proud of our stock market game results - for the last two years a Rhodes team has held first place in our region. In addition, this year a team of our seventh graders was the highest earning elementary team in the state of Illinois! During the second quarter auditions are held for students who are interested in joining the Rhodes Speech Team which enters a local competition. For more information, see the Stock Market Website at:
The History Fair, also a national competition, is held in the spring and students with high Social Studies scores research and create exhibits reflecting the theme of the year. The last quarter enrichment students with high Language Arts/Reading scores join a Junior Great Books discussion group.
Preschool and Kindergarten students are given an individual Slosson intelligence test at their classroom teacher's request. Students scoring 120 or above are serviced in some way. If scheduling allows they can meet with the gifted coordinator, if not they are provided with individualized enrichment within their classroom.
Enrichment offers high ability students a chance: to progress at their own pace, to choose research topics of individual interest and to discuss the particular needs of "being smart" with other kids much like themselves.
A.B.C. Program
The A.B.C. Program at Rhodes School is an attempt to recognize and reward students for positive deeds and actions. The initials A.B.C.'s represent the following:
Health
M&M
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